Education Equity Fellow

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation’s aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF’s mission has been transformative — to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society. LDF’s litigation, public policy advocacy and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system. LDF continues to make an impact in the area of public service and was recognized by Fast Company as one of its2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category. The Thurgood Marshall Institute Since its founding under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall in 1940, LDF has been committed to transforming this nation’s promise of equality into reality for all Americans. In 2015, LDF celebrated its 75th anniversary with the launch of the Thurgood Marshall Institute (TMI). The Institute is a collaborative hub within LDF that combines a multidisciplinary approach to advocacy with LDF’s traditional litigation strengths to advance a modern vision of racial justice. The Institute’s goals are to enhance LDF’s use and mobilization of research and public education to increase its capacity to fight for racial equity, justice, and a more inclusive democracy through targeted advocacy and high impact communications campaigns. Through TMI, LDF generates and integrates innovative research, advocacy, archival materials, and strategic communications aimed at educating the public and key decision makers. This added capacity leverages LDF’s litigation expertise, advocacy experience and unique leadership role on matters of race, law, and policy to shape the narrative on racial justice and equity. Through targeted campaigns that attack entrenched problems of racial bias, LDF’s TMI will advance holistic strategies to achieve obtainable and lasting solutions on issues of criminal justice, political participation, education and economic opportunity. In addition, the Institute serves as an active convener of thought-leaders from various disciplines to engage on cutting edge issues of racial justice in both public and private fora. The Education Equity Research Fellow will lead a two-year mixed methods research project exploring the intersection of race and traditional indicia of merit. The Research Fellow will work with the TMI research team, as well as LDF litigators, policy advocates, and organizers to assist in the development of litigation, legislation, and advocacy recommendations to critically examine and address the role of traditional indicators of merit in the creation, maintenance, and furthering of racial inequality in higher education. LDF operates in a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to be in the office a minimum of two days per week, unless otherwise indicated. Responsibilities:

Lead the development of a mixed methods research project on racial inequities in policy and practice, including securing IRB approval. The Fellow will work with other team members from TMI, litigation, policy, communications, and organizing to inform strategies. Design and implement research methodologies to assess the impact of education interventions on historically marginalized communities; Conduct background and investigative research on indicia of merit in higher education and the implications of these criteria on racial equity in education; Assist in project management for research project; Create TMI research publications, including a complete report on research findings and public facing presentation on findings, as well as podcast, and op-ed/blogs that translate insights and learnings from research into external-facing products for key stakeholders; Prepare for, and participate in, internal and external calls, meetings, conferences, and other convenings; Assist in summarizing research reporting purposes, website, and external use; Conduct outreach to regional, state and local leaders around particular advocacy issues; Organize materials for speaking engagements, seminars, symposia, and conferences, and assist in preparation of institutional statements, remarks or speeches; Engage with impacted communities to ensure

research reflects lived experiences

and is responsive to community needs; and Other duties as assigned within the general scope of the position. Qualifications:

Commitment to racial justice and the mission of LDF; D. or ABD status in education policy, social sciences or critical ethnic studies with a strong preference for individuals with experience in education policy or a related field with a strong focus on racial equity in education; Demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods including but not limited to conducting in-depth interviews, surveys or designing and facilitating focus groups; Strong written and oral communication skills with a demonstrated track record of producing high-quality research outputs; Demonstrated experience with IRB review process Preferred Qualifications: Experience working with or for academia, civil rights organizations, education-focused nonprofits, or policy institutes; Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven, and interdisciplinary environment; Strong project management skills; and Knowledge or strong interest in civil rights and familiarity with racial justice frameworks and the structural roots of educational inequity, particularly as they affect Black students and other students of color preferred . This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts or requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.This description does not constitute a contract of employment and LDF may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time. The salary for this position is $100,000. LDF offers all eligible employees a generous benefits package. To learn more click the following link2025 Benefits Overview. * * * * * The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to you without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, medical condition or disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. Scholars interested in being considered for the TMI Fellows program should submit a 2–3 page cover letter discussing their interest and experience with public scholarship focused on racial justice and describing a potential project that could be undertaken during the fellowship program. Please submit an up-to-date abbreviated CV (5 pages maximum) to accompany the cover letter.

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